Do You Identify Yourself as a Christian?

[Nehemiah6]

Ever notice how the writers of the New Testament letters never once use "Christian" in their salutation (beginning greeting)? There's good evidence that the believers did not call themselves "Christians" but that "Christian" was what others called them.

That was then. After over 2,000 years it has no relevance.

So now the world is divided into two groups: CHRISTIANS vs NON-CHRISTIANS

Then within Christendom, there are two broad groups: POSSESSORS vs PROFESSORS

The possessors possess the gift of eternal life, but the professors are professing Christians who may not have been born again. Only God knows exactly who is who.

We should keep in mind the history of Christianity. After the persecution of Christians within the Roman empire, Christianity was the state religion in both the Roman and the Byzantine empires for almost 1000 years. Europe (including Russia and the vast Siberian landscape) was essentially Christian (at least nominally). Even the pagan Scandinavians had become nominal Christians.

The rise of communism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries changed all that. Then along came Nazi Germany and perverted Christianity. And now we have godless Communism even in America and Canada. So Christianity is no longer a state religion, but there are genuine Christians throughout the world, and even under Communist rule. The more Christians are persecuted, the more they flourish.

The United States of America was de facto a Christian country since its inception. But the Communists vowed over fifty years ago to totally subvert America and make it a Communist country. Their dream has come to pass because Communism was never outlawed in the USA (which would have been the logical and sane thing to do right after WWII). The government of the USA under Joe Biden and the Democrats is actually Marxist/Communist/Fascist/Anarchist/Racist. And they hate Christians and conservatives.

We should also keep in mind that very soon after the Pilgrims and the Puritans (two distinct Christian groups) landed in America, too many abandoned their Christian principles and treated the Native Indians in a very un-Christian manner. Even the Quakers maintained a more Christian ethic at that time.

 

[XavierJesusLovesIndia]

Re: OP.

Yes, of course: 1 Peter 4:16, KJV: "Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. "

God Bless.

 

[Edify]

People of Corinth were called corinthians, people of Thessalonica were called thessalonians, & people of Christ were called christians. We haven't changed that for the past 2000 years, why bother now? It means "of Christ".
If we are ashamed of Him He will be ashamed of us before the Father & the holy angels.

 

[tourist]

Oyster still loves you, RaceRunner.

You are a kind and gracious man.

 

[Aaron56]

That was then. After over 2,000 years it has no relevance.

So now the world is divided into two groups: CHRISTIANS vs NON-CHRISTIANS

Then within Christendom, there are two broad groups: POSSESSORS vs PROFESSORS

The possessors possess the gift of eternal life, but the professors are professing Christians who may not have been born again. Only God knows exactly who is who.

We should keep in mind the history of Christianity. After the persecution of Christians within the Roman empire, Christianity was the state religion in both the Roman and the Byzantine empires for almost 1000 years. Europe (including Russia and the vast Siberian landscape) was essentially Christian (at least nominally). Even the pagan Scandinavians had become nominal Christians.

The rise of communism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries changed all that. Then along came Nazi Germany and perverted Christianity. And now we have godless Communism even in America and Canada. So Christianity is no longer a state religion, but there are genuine Christians throughout the world, and even under Communist rule. The more Christians are persecuted, the more they flourish.

The United States of America was de facto a Christian country since its inception. But the Communists vowed over fifty years ago to totally subvert America and make it a Communist country. Their dream has come to pass because Communism was never outlawed in the USA (which would have been the logical and sane thing to do right after WWII). The government of the USA under Joe Biden and the Democrats is actually Marxist/Communist/Fascist/Anarchist/Racist. And they hate Christians and conservatives.

We should also keep in mind that very soon after the Pilgrims and the Puritans (two distinct Christian groups) landed in America, too many abandoned their Christian principles and treated the Native Indians in a very un-Christian manner. Even the Quakers maintained a more Christian ethic at that time.

Eternal judgement is an Elementary Doctrine. It means to judge from a heavenly point of view where time has no bearing.

How much Roman heresy should we allow in our speech: 5%, 1%?

 

[1ambassador]

People of Corinth were called corinthians, people of Thessalonica were called thessalonians, & people of Christ were called christians. We haven't changed that for the past 2000 years, why bother now? It means "of Christ".
If we are ashamed of Him He will be ashamed of us before the Father & the holy angels.

Very true! People often speak of God, but it is often a god of their imagination. Our Bible says: "...he that hath the Son, hath life", not 'he that has a belief in a god, has eternal life'. Many god seekers do not embrace John 3:16; John 14; Roman 8; etc. Salvation of our eternal soul is only in our Creator-God's "...beloved Son": the Lord Jesus. We need Him in our soul by asking Him into our life; and then walking and talking with Him all day --every day for our needs and worship and honor to Him.
--1ambassador

 

[CherieR]

I am a Christian

 

[oyster67]

Acts 11:26
“And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.”

 

[Dino246]

I am gaining a better understand of Christians opinions.

If that is your intention, you're wasting your time asking such specific questions... as Maxwel explained.

 

[RaceRunner]

If that is your intention, you're wasting your time asking such specific questions... as Maxwel explained.

So far, it's working.

 

[oyster67]

So far, it's working.

As for me, I appreciate every opportunity I get to testify to the fact that I am a new person in Christ.

Some things that seem elementary to us are needful to people looking in from the outside.

 

[RaceRunner]

Heres a thing or two ive learned some yrs back.
I dont identify myself as a christian anymore, why?. Ive learned that it tends to seperate and distance people from being real. In fact it seems to close many doors of opportunity to share the gospel. People seem to be put on guard for 2 reasons. One they wait till you have a weak moment and then tell you and remind you of it. Or they put on some I'm spiritual too act and pretend to be a GOD fearer too.
Intresting enough jesus made him self of no reputation. In fact he was more interested in who they siad he was.
Thats the example i follow.
I'm a sinner saved by grace just like many here. I prefer to acknowledge other believer as saints.
The title christian opens up a whole can of worms. Baptist, catholic, protestant, mormon, J.W the list goes on.
Many believe that knowing JESUS is salvation which is true to a point. The real question is does JESUS know you?

1 John 2:19

They went out from us, but they were not of us. For if they had been of us, they would no doubt have remained with us; but that they may be manifest, that they are not all of us.

 

[oyster67]

I dont identify myself as a christian anymore, why?. Ive learned that it tends to seperate and distance people from being real. In fact it seems to close many doors of opportunity to share the gospel.

We are called to present the truth. It will often offend the proud and haughty, but we are still to obey our Master.

Mark 6:11
“And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.”

 

[Adstar]

I assume your option ""non-denominational" is the option if one is a Christian but is not a member of a denomination??

The problem is that there is a denomination called ""Non-denominational"" Yeah sounds weird..

I personally have no problem with your poll..